Rifles for Watie facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Rifles for Watie

Cover of the 1991 reissue hardback
Author	Harold Keith
Country	United States
Language	English
Genre	Historical, War
Publisher	Thomas Y. Crowell
Publication date	1957
Media type	Print (Hardback & Paperback)

Rifles for Watie is an exciting adventure novel written by American author Harold Keith. It was first published in 1957. This book was so good that it won the famous Newbery Medal the very next year!

The story takes place during the American Civil War, a big conflict in American history. The main character is a fictional sixteen-year-old boy named Jefferson Davis Bussey. He gets caught up in the war and sees many important events and people. You'll meet real historical figures like Generals Stand Watie and James G. Blunt. You'll also read about real battles, such as Wilson's Creek and Prairie Grove, all from the eyes of an ordinary soldier.

Harold Keith, the author, spent many years learning about the Civil War. He talked to veterans (soldiers who fought in the war) and visited the places mentioned in the book. This helped him make the story feel very real and accurate, which is special for a historical book written for young readers.

The book is also unique because it's set west of the Mississippi River. Many Civil War stories focus on the eastern states, so Rifles for Watie gives you a different view of the war.

What the Story Is About

In 1861, Jefferson Davis Bussey, or Jeff, leaves his home in Linn County, Kansas to join the Union army in Leavenworth. He is eager to fight for the North. He's especially motivated because of the "bushwhackers" and the "Bleeding Kansas" conflict, which was a period of violence in eastern Kansas before the war officially began.

However, the story also involves Stand Watie, who fights for the South. As Jeff's adventure unfolds, he meets many different soldiers and regular people from both sides of the war. He encounters Watie's raiding parties, a traveling printer named Noah Babbitt, and a beautiful Cherokee girl named Lucy Washbourne in Tahlequah, which was then called Indian Territory (now Oklahoma).

During a secret mission, Jeff discovers that Captain Asa Clardy, a Union officer, is secretly giving new Spencer rifles to Stand Watie's Native American forces. These powerful rifles could change the course of battles.

Jeff ends up fighting for both the North and the South during the war, especially while on his special secret mission. He even makes friends on both sides. The book also shows a lot about the daily life of the Cherokee people in Indian Territory and the different groups within their tribe. It highlights the tough choices Jeff has to make in the middle of such a huge conflict.

Meet the Characters

• Jefferson (Jeff) Davis Bussey – He's the main character! He starts as a foot soldier but later becomes a cavalryman (a soldier who fights on horseback). After a long secret mission, he becomes a sergeant and goes home.
• Lucy Washbourne – A young Cherokee woman from Tahlequah, Oklahoma. She becomes Jeff's friend and love interest.
• Lee Washbourne – Lucy's brother. He is a Confederate soldier and a scout. He dies during the war.
• Noah Babbitt – An older, traveling printer who is also a Union soldier. He loves nature and becomes a good friend to Jeff.
• Stand Watie – A real historical person! He was the last Confederate general to surrender at the end of the war. His soldiers often used older weapons, so getting new Spencer rifles would be a big deal for them.
• James G. Blunt – Another real historical person. He was a Union general who fought to control Indian Territory.
• David Gardner – One of Jeff's friends from his hometown who joins the Union Army with him.
• John Chadwick – Another of Jeff's hometown friends who joins the Union Army.
• Captain Asa Clardy – Jeff's commanding officer in the Union Army. He is a major enemy for Jeff because he is secretly giving Spencer Rifles to the Confederate side. He is later found to be a traitor.
• Heifer Hobbs – The company cook and a mentor for Jeff when Jeff is with the Confederate army. He helps Jeff when others suspect him of being a spy.
• Bill Earle – A singer who serves with Jeff on the Union side.
• Stuart Mitchell – A Union prisoner of war who escapes from Watie's men and later joins Jeff's unit.
• Pete Millholland – An older gentleman who becomes Jeff's squad leader. He dies in battle.
• Jimmy – A 14-year-old drummer boy for the Union army. He is injured and later dies on Christmas Day.
• Edith Bussey – Jeff's mom.
• Emory Bussey – Jeff's father.
• Ring – Jeff's dog back home in Kansas.
• Dixie – A dog owned by a Confederate soldier who dies in the Battle of Wilson's Creek. Jeff befriends her and later leaves her with Lucy Washbourne.
• Keegan – A commander for the Confederates.
• Lieutenant Orff – The commander of the scout team that Jeff and Noah join. He carries a special 7-shot Spencer rifle.
• Sully – A "bloodhound" dog that is supposed to hunt Jeff, but Jeff befriends him instead.
• Sergeant Fields – A non-commissioned officer (NCO) in the Confederate cavalry company Jeff joins.
• Jim Bostwick – A scout who works with Jeff. He dies in battle while pretending to be a Confederate.
• Sparrow – The chef at the army camp. He is killed by Captain Clardy.
• Mike Dempsey – An older Irishman who becomes friends with Jeff.
• Ford Ivey – One of Jeff's best friends who is seriously injured during the Battle of Wilson's Creek.
• Zed Tinney – A religious boy who carries a black leather Bible. He dies during the Battle of Wilson's Creek.
• Jake Lonegan – A squad leader in Jeff's company.
• Jim Veatch – A card player in Jeff's company.
• Neely North – A new recruit from Shawnee Mission.
• Walter Van Ostrand – A young soldier in Jeff's company who tries to get out of the army.

Awards and Recognition

Rifles for Watie has received several important awards:

• Winner, 1958 Newbery Medal
• Named one of the Notable Children's Books of 1957 by the American Library Association (ALA)
• Won the 1964 James Carroll Shelf Award